Gender Gap

Top Cities for Job Stress

How to Reduce Work Stress: Exercise

53% of adults said exercise helps them "feel good about themselves," and 30% said it reduces stress, according to the American Psychological Association. Workouts release endorphins, which boost happiness and energy.

How to Reduce Work Stress: Socialize

A lack of interaction with people can lead to high blood pressure and depression, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Plan social gatherings—and put away mobile devices while spending time with family and friends.

How to Reduce Work Stress: Get a Hobby

People who engage in leisure pursuits are 34% less stressed when participating in such activities, according to a study from the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

The majority of employees said they are stressed at work on a daily basis, and this problem has increased over the past five years, according to a recent survey from Accountemps. Heavy workloads, demanding deadlines, unrealistic management expectations and a lack of work-life balance are contributing to this troubling trend. And if you're under 35, you're more likely to feel a high degree of pressure than your older colleagues. In addition, men in the survey are more stressed on the job than women. "Business is moving faster than ever, and employees can feel the crunch when it comes to imminent deadlines," said Bill Driscoll, a district president for Accountemps. "Workers shouldn't suffer in silence. They can tap internal resources for help or seek advice from their managers to ensure they meet work expectations, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. A stressed employee can have detrimental effects on the department or company, including decreased morale and productivity, and increased burnout and turnover." To better cope, professionals are turning to exercise, socialization and hobbies. We've included research-backed findings here to illustrate how these activities reduce stress. More than 2,200 U.S. CFOs and 1,000 employees representing a broad range of professions took part in the research.